Minister recommends government apology for Kenneally victims

By Gráinne Ní Aodha and Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Victims of paedophile Bill Kenneally may be in line for a State apology after a public inquiry found there was a “clear and serious dereliction of duty” by gardaí in the case.

Kenneally, in his early 70s and formerly of Summerville Avenue, Waterford city, is serving a prison term after pleading guilty to 10 sample counts of indecently assaulting 10 boys at various locations in Waterford in the 1980s.

A Commission of Investigation examined the response of gardaí, Basketball Ireland, politicians and members of the Catholic Church to allegations of sexual abuse made against the former Waterford basketball coach.

The Waterford division of An Garda Síochána in the 1970s and 1980s had no experience and no idea how to prevent or prosecute someone like Bill Kenneally

Kenneally gave evidence to the public inquiry, chaired by retired judge Michael White, and said he told two senior gardaí in the boardroom of a Garda station on December 30 1987 “what I was doing”.

The report compiled by Mr White was brought to Cabinet by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan on Tuesday.

At the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday evening, it is understood that the Taoiseach agreed with a recommendation from Mr O’Callaghan that there should be an apology given to victims.

An apology had been sought by several victims, who also want a meeting with the minister.

The report said that gardaí had enough evidence to arrest Kenneally on suspicion of false imprisonment and indecent assault by the time this interview took place, and to search his house and car.

At the time, Kenneally was in possession of Polaroid images of naked boys in his home and car, the report said.

At the meeting on December 30 1987, Kenneally was not cautioned, proper notes were not taken, the investigation was not properly established, and no file was created.

One of the officers also had a conflict of interest as he was “a close friend” of Kenneally’s uncle Monsignor John Shine, and should have recused himself from the investigation.

“The investigation started to go badly wrong from here to the conclusion. It was unprofessional, rushed and inappropriate,” the inquiry report stated.

The inquiry said that after the interview the “unusual” decision was taken to call Kenneally’s uncles, former Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kenneally and Monsignor Shine.

“The Waterford division of An Garda Síochána in the 1970s and 1980s had no experience and no idea how to prevent or prosecute someone like Bill Kenneally,” the report stated in its executive summary.

“There was no expertise, no lateral thinking, and no coordination between agencies.

“As far as the Gardaí were concerned if you did not make a formal complaint by way of Garda Statement nothing could be achieved.

“An Garda Síochána underestimated the nature of Bill Kenneally’s compulsion and the danger to any young teenage boys coming within the ambit of his influence.”

It said the failure by two senior officers “to conduct a proper investigation into the activities of Bill Kenneally, was a clear and serious dereliction of duty even by 1987 standards”.

Mr O’Callaghan has said that the report was given to Kenneally’s victims on Monday.

He said he would reflect on the findings of the report.

“I want to acknowledge the bravery of the victims of Bill Kenneally and thank them for their perseverance and strength in seeking truth and accountability,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“The report I am publishing today was given yesterday to those victims who are in contact with my department via their legal representatives.

“I hope they and the other victims of the abhorrent crimes of Bill Kenneally will find the report to be a detailed and thorough assessment of the significant issues of public concern that arose in relation to his crimes.

“The work of the Commission of Investigation was complex, and I want to thank Judge White, his team and Judge Hickson for bringing this to completion and for the comprehensiveness of the investigation and the detailed recommendations which have been brought forward.

“I will now reflect on the findings of the report.

“It is also important that we allow the victims the time to read and consider its findings.”

An Garda Síochána said it would need time to review the extensive report before commenting.

However, it said its thoughts were “with the victims of this terrible abuse”, adding that it had invested significantly in the investigation of domestic and sexual abuse since the period covered in the report.